The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-11-10
At Close Quarters.

David w. Judd, of the american
Agriculturist, who makes annual tours
through the far western States and
Territories, narrates the following:
One August afternoon we made the
ascent of Helen's Mountain, in the
range forming the boundary of North
Park, Colorado, to catch a view of the
superb sweep beyond. 1t was long
and wearisome climb, but the magniti-
cent views stretching far away in every
direction richly repaid us. Far be-
low lay the beautiful Estes Park, and
extending as far as the eye could reach
appeared peak after peak, many of
them covered with snow here in July.
Nestled beneath us several hundred
feet was miniature lake covered
with ice, which did not yield to the
stones hurled upon its surface.
After feasting our vision for some
hours we began the descent, which
was very difficult, inasmuch as falling
rain froze as it fell. / took my car
tridges from my Winchester, fearing
lest l might slip and discharge them
When half way down the mountain.
we reached a small plateau in the
center of which was a clump of cotton
wood trees. Ralph was perhaps three
RODS ahead, and Foley fifteen PAGES.
turned from the path to this clump
of trees for moment, thinking per-
haps might start cinnamon bear.
Judge of my dismay when Rocky
Mountain lion suddenly sprang from
the thicket, rested upon broken tree
not twenty feet away, and savagely
glaring upon me, apparently prepared
to spring upon the intruder who had
entered his lair. 1t was a most ex-
citing moment. quickly brought my
rife to the shoulder. and aiming be-
tween-his eyes, drew the trigger to no
effect. Again and again l attempted
to discharge the rifle, forgetting in the
suspense tnat the cartridges had been
withdrawn. 1t was indeed trying
ordeal. If | stopped to remove what
was an imperfect cartridge and sub
stitute another one, or if turned and
fled, the glaring creature, who looked
to me as big as buffalo, would pounce
upon me and tear me to pieces in
jitfy! | did neither, but fortunately
had sufficient presence of mind re-
naming to whistle in low tone to
Foley just ahead. He turned, and
taking in the situation at a glance,
quick as lightning flash sent a bullet
through the animals heart sYou
look little pale, Mr. Judd" he ex-
claimed in half humorous manner,
as he quietly came back to me. Il do
not think YOU could blame anybody
for being rather pale under the cir
cumstances! l responded. 1t was
very fortunate for ME that / had no
bullet in my rifle; being in such close
proximity, l should undoubtedly have
shot high above the point aimed at,
barely grazed his skull, when the then
wounded and consequently infuriated
animal would have jumped and fin
ished me in short order. On inspect
ing the surroundings we found the re-
mains of an antelope close by, upon
which the now dead enemy had
gorged himself. l am told that when
near evening one of these mountain
lions delivers its peculiar roar, the an
telope for long distance around are
fairly terrorized and flee for miles.
Unlike Mr.. Roosevelt, have never
killed Grizzlies at short range, and l
do not care ever again to meet lion
under such circumstances. He ap-
peared to be as large as any of the
genuine Africans which | have seen
in the menageries, and few days
after, at the railway at Rock Creek,
we saw one of these Rocky Mountain
lions which considerably exceeded in
size the imported African Gagged near
him. That night around the campfire,
the reader may be sure we had very
exciting story to narrate to Uncle Pier
son and Auditor Weston, who had re-
manned in the valley while we made
the ascent.